Road to Boston: Week 1

 This was my first full week of training with my coach Pardon Ndhlovu from the Mckirdy Trained coaching staff.... I'm SUPER excited to finally be a part of this group of great athletes and coaches! .... although Boston Training probably hasn't "officially" started, I know where I'm heading, and for me...

It all starts here. 

After finally getting cleared by the Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist at Marathon PT in Newton, Ma, I signed up for McKirdy Trained right away. We have been in contact since the very tail end of my first trimester. I wanted to reach out after I got a positive test and let James know that I had every intention of joining the group and becoming one of the athletes after I had my baby, Maebel. It helped me hold myself accountable during my pregnancy training and knowing there was someone out there who knew my situation and wasn't afraid of my big goals after a pretty big life altering "set back" made me feel like I was still moving toward my goals even when I was getting fatter and slower, and more and more out of shape. 

If you didn't know already, I successfully completed1,000 pregnancy miles, a goal I never meant to have. Many of the weeks I ran were 26.2 weekly miles... again, something that unfolded naturally. I ran up until 38 weeks, and then I cross trained the rest of the way walking 4 miles while in labor on the day I delivered. 

Fast forward 11 weeks or essentially no exercise (except for some kegals and reverse kegals), and that's where we're at. Last week I ran 11 miles, this week I just wrapped up a 20.9 mile week! What's special about this week over all weeks  of my entire running career (20 years) is that I trained in the morning! Me! In the MORNING! I am not a morning person, but this will literally be impossible for me if I don't make the switch and it went surprisingly well!  Granted, my runs are very short, and it hasn't been too dark or too cold yet... so it's just baby steps... but I'm creating a new habit and so far I like it!

 This Weeks Workouts:

Monday: 3.6 Miles, 30 minutes, 8:20/mi: I have generally always taken Mondays off or used them as Cross Training days, so moving forward, that might be something we do, but since I took Sunday off I wanted to start official training with Pardon today and not waste any more time. I did this run at night because I wanted to wait until we talked on the phone since my hip is already a problem. It is not as stable as I would have liked after all the work I had done... However, I pushed a baby out  it's a pretty traumatic ordeal for the pelvis. I'm monitoring it daily. 

Tuesday 3.2 miles, 30 minutes, 9:23/mi: First morning run... such a rust buster. It was cold to start but warmed up super fast. My legs are heavy and sleepy and my knee hurts. WTF.

Wednesday: 2.8 miles, 25 minutes, 8:46/mi: I felt much better today. Yes my hip and knee bother me a bit on the right side, but it feels like it's improving from just adjusting to impact. I'm also incorporating drills at work when I'm pumping. #multitasking

Thursday: 3.4 miles, 30 minutes, 8:49/mi: Treadmill!: This is just no fun... But my husband was busy with work so I had no choice but to use the treadmill early in the morning after he left and the beabies were still asleep. I Hated every step, but was very proud after. 

Friday: 3.0 Miles, 26 minutes, 8:52/mi: A really freakishly warm morning... I was very happy to complete this because it meant all I needed to do was go to work and my week was done. I could get used to morning running and not being so tired when I get out of work that I literally have to yell at the person in the mirror to get out the door. 

Saturday: OFF I enjoyed sleeping in a bit and being lazy today. 

Sunday: 4.7 Miles, 40 minutes, 8:23/mi: I'm very happy with this run... but my knee is very unstable. It's not injured, it just doesn't have a fat pad (surgery in March 2015) and with the ligaments and tendons being loose from breastfeeding... it's going to take extra work to strengthen. ​

Well, This isn't the most exciting blogpost, but Daylight Savings and Children don't mix well and it's not even 9:00 and I'm ready for Bed... SO... 

PS: Always remember SAFETY FIRST When running in the Dark! Here are some of my favorite reflective gear products two featured in photos above!. I have 3 of the jackets, and one hat from this brand and another Nike one (more expensive). I don't have the gloves yet because I didn't know they made some! On my Christmas List for sure! Help a girl out by checkin' these out. I especially love how I can wear the hat every day in all weather and feel safe! <3